Major Expansion For Craft Beer Co-Operative

While we’re only too grateful that we can access some of the best Chinese and Mexican alcoholic beverages in Northern Ireland, even better news is that one of our homegrown products plans to return the favour.

Farmageddon Brewery Co-Operative Limited is investing over £100,000 as part of a two year expansion plan to explore the market in China and Mexico as well as new brewing equipment as part of its continued growth.

Invest Northern Ireland has offered £16,500 to support Farmageddon’s development strategy which include market visits, attending trade shows and recruiting four new jobs over the next two years. These activities will enable the company to expand its product range and raise awareness of its products in its target markets.

Susan Jackson from Farmageddon Brewery Co-Operative Limited, said: “Our aim over the next two years is to increase awareness among potential new customers by carrying out market visits and attending trade shows such as the Craft Beer Rising festival in February.

“This investment is an important milestone in our development. Invest NI’s assistance is enabling us to implement these growth plans and explore new business opportunities in markets such as China and Mexico.

“We aim to capitalise on the growing interest in craft beer and leverage our enhanced capabilities and resources to secure new sales outside Northern Ireland.”

Are you man enough for Farmageddon’s new Double IPA?

Farmageddon launched its new Double IPA the week after Christmas. Weighing in at an almighty 8.5% it’s Farmageddon’s strongest brew to date. It also notches up as massive 118 on the IBU scale. For non-beer geeks that means it’s incredibly bitter.

The three hops used in the brewing process – Sorachi, Equinox and Galaxy – are incredibly rare and create a flavour the like of which you’ll never have experienced before.

Eoin Wilson said: “We brewed this beer for ourselves. It’s going to be a challenge for some people but for those who like double IPA it’s going to be something special.

“We’ve been working incredibly hard for the past six months to allow us to expand and be able to make beers like the double IPA. It’s a very exciting time for the Farmageddon co-op.”

Department of Trade and Entreprise Minister Jonathan Bell, who visited the company’s premises recently, said: “The continued expansion of this brewery, producing locally made hand crafted beers, is a positive development for our food and drink sector. It is pleasing to see so many local producers succeeding in this growth market.

“2016 has been designated the Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink which will see a year-long celebration of the great taste of our food and drink. The initiative aims to promote Northern Ireland globally as a top food destination and each month has a special theme with April the turn of our brewing and distilling industry.”